The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-14
\ DEMAND FOR CONDUCTORS
The Aldermen Resolve that They Must
Be Put On Johnson's Street-Cars.
Fear Is Expressed, However. that Too Much
Will Be Exacted from the Company-Action
OF the Gas Ordinance Postponed.

came to them from tho Council without incl
dent or dissent. the Board of Aldermen, last
night reached the streetcar question. It came
up in the resolution passed by the Council re-
curing the Citizens Street-railway Company
10 build rear platforms on all cars used on all
lines in the city. The lobby was flied by dele
cation Of the striking drivers and knigha
OF Labor, while in other parts of the room
were several Democratic councilmen. Manager
Steele, of the company, was also one of the au-
dience.
Alderman Pritchard did not want the resolu-
ton adopted ~ithout amendment If the COM
pany had money to spend en- improvements he
said, it ought to used in completing the
Mississippi-street line. Every day his constituents
were after him to have the company compelled
to complete that ine but he thought that tbs
company could not do that and build platforms
on the cara at the same time. The uncompleted
Mississippi-street line ought to have the prefer
ence, and he would, therefore: move to amend
the resolution, by giving the company an oppor-
tunity to elect which of the two works it should
do-complete the Mississippi ine or pay the
money out In putting platforms.
Alderman Prier said if the company had
bank account he wanted it to be used in COM
plotting the line and building the platforms He
was not in favor of giving the company any
choice whatever 1t should be made to do both
II the bank account will permi. the doing of one.
it will also enable the company to do the other.
1t ought. also to be used in paving drivers fair
wages. Such expenditures would prevent the
company from sending money to Cleveland
The lobby applauded this speech, which caused
Alderman Schmidt to remark. I'VE ought to
have a little more order"
1--WE don't want any more encoring like that,
gentlemen" said Alderman King, who Temporal
rily had the chair.
r
ment, when Alderman Schmidt said, II do not
think the amendment has anything to do with
the resolution. fail to the connection. I
therefore move to lay the amendment on the
table" Alderman Rail seconded this PROPOSE
ton.
Alderman Pritchard again spoke theoretically
in behalf of the Mssissippi-street line. IF the
the company expends all its money in plat
FORMS" he said, 1.-THE people in my district
will not get their street railroad. Colonel John
son should be compelled to complete far
Seventh street. L In earnest about this
tension and did not offer the amendment as buzz
combe. 1t is right if the company has bank
account that it should be made to use it in max
ing this extension. If the money goes out in
other ways see but little chance Of having the
work DONE but it is probable the company will
have an opportunity to spend all the money it
has before the city is through with it."
Alderman King. still in the chair. appeared
very anxious to offer substitute. He passed
one over to the clerk with Read that as sub
Alderman Wright also had an amendment to
propose. and GOT the attention of the Chair with
some difficulty. Alderman Schmidt withdrew
his motion to lay on the table. and Alderman
King called his substitute back from the clerk.
This allowed the Wright amendment full sway.
1t proposed simply to strike out the work .or and
insert land" which would deprive the company OK
any choice and compel it to both extend the
Mississippistreet line and build the platforms
to the cars. Alderman Pritchard thought this
would reduce the matter to absurdity "It
will be impossible for the company to do BOTH
he remarked. I'VE might well tell it to build
a cable road to ST. Louis. With that amend
ment neither the extension nor the car platforms
will be secured"
Alderman Laut favored the Pritchard amend
ment, but he would like to have it include Shelby
street resolution requiring the company to
build road on that street was passed two years
age.
City Attorney Taylor asked permission to say
a word He thought the Pritchard amendments
Illegal By its charter the company must file
with the city clerk its acceptance of any street
granted it within thirty days after the resolution
conveying the privilege is passed. 1t was about
a year ago that the company was ordered to
build the Mississppi-street line, and it did not
file this acceptance. Under the charter the right
lapsed and the street reverted to the city. The
company has no right to run a car on that street,
and there is already resolution under way
curing the street commissioner to tear up the
track.
Alderman Pritchard doubted the correctness
of the city attorneys opinion. the charter
gave the right to the company after it had be-
gun the work in sixty days after the passage 4
track per month uEtii it was completed. The
company had not done the latter, it is true.
the road stops near Second street. when it ought
to have been built to Twelfth. He would be
satisfied though, if the extension was made to
Seventh street. Admitting that the company
has forfeited the street. the city can order that
o any other company to build line upon it.
He asked it a personal favor to have the Al
dermen vote for his amendment.
Alderman Laut again tried to propose his
amendment. but Alderman King. presiding said,
you can't offer amendment to amend
ment After Mr.. Wright's amendment is voted
down you can introduce yours" Alderman
thought the Prtchard proposition should come
up in separate resolution. Alderman Wight
said that when he offered his amendment he
thought the whole matter illegal. and. since the
city attorney had given opinion. he knew il
to be so. He therefore withdrew the amend
ment Alderman King decided the Pritehari
Laut, Pritchard and Endly voting for it. and
Crosby, Prier. Rail, Schmidt and Wright
against
Alderman Pritchard then moved to refer thu
resolution OF the Council to the City Attorney
and committee judiciary, which prevailed,
Crosby, King, Laut, Pritchard and Endley vob
against the motion. In connection with this
street-car subject the following resolutions, the
first offered bv Alderman Rail and the second
by Alderman Wright, were adopted:
Resolved That it is the sense of this body that
ordinance be passed amending Section l. of the ordi
passed Feb. 81, 1870 so that, among othe.
things toned 1t Shall be unlawful person
to refuse to pay his fare when riding car of the
Citizens Streetralway Company. provided such law
fuI fare shall be demanded by conductor.
Resolved. That the city attorney be instructed to
prepare and the Mayor to introduce an ordinance in
the Council with proper penalties for its violation.
requiring the Citizens Street-railway Company to
maintain conductors its lines in this city, who
shall in addition TO other duties collect fares from
passengers. also to amend the present ordinance by
striking the clause which might be construed to
require passengers TO deposit their fares in
or in accordance with any rule prescribed by said
company.
When the natural-gas ordinance intro
duced Alderman Pritchard in accordance with
an understanding with bis colleagues, moved
that il be read the first and second times under
a suspension of the rules, After this was done
il was referred to special committee, consisting
of Aldermen Pritehard Schmidt and Wright.
who to report TO a meeting of the board FRI
day night.
A communication from the Builders Exchange
was read urging the immediate passage OF the
ordinance after it had been amended by striking
out the free supply and tax features IL also